Islamabad, Jan 28 (NationPress) The recent endorsement of the 2026 Domestic Violence Act by Pakistan's parliament marks another step toward tackling a serious and long-standing societal issue, as reported by local media on Wednesday. This legislation expands the definition of domestic violence to encompass not just physical and sexual abuse, but also psychological and verbal mistreatment, which includes threats of divorce or a second marriage based on unfounded claims of insanity or infertility.

Individuals accused of domestic violence could face imprisonment for up to three years, along with monetary penalties and compensation, according to Pakistan's prominent daily, The Express Tribune. The report emphasizes the necessity for parliament to provide clearer definitions and establish safeguards against the potential misuse of this law if it genuinely aims to combat domestic violence.

"On a moral level, Islam categorically condemns both physical and psychological abuse within marriages. Therefore, the intention to protect vulnerable household members is commendable. However, the challenge arises not from the intention but from the implementation. While divorce and polygamy are allowed under Islamic law, they are regulated and discouraged unless necessary," The Express Tribune stated.

"Making threats concerning these rights illegal, without a precise definition of what constitutes a 'baseless' accusation or malicious intent, risks shifting from protection to overreach. For instance, how will authorities determine whether a divorce threat was abusive or simply part of a legitimate marital disagreement?" the report questioned.

Ambiguous language poses a significant risk of misuse. Islam advocates for reconciliation and mediation prior to taking punitive measures. However, the law lacks clarity on whether family mediation or arbitration will be prioritized before implementing criminal penalties, The Express Tribune reported.

"This is not to undermine the urgent need to safeguard victims of domestic violence. The silence surrounding such abuse has devastated numerous lives. However, effective legislation demands precision and institutional preparedness. If parliament is earnest about addressing domestic violence, it must provide clear definitions and build safeguards against process abuse," the daily highlighted.

In December, Sahil, an organization monitoring gender-based violence, reported a significant increase in crimes against women during the first eleven months of 2025 in Pakistan, as reported by local media.

The report compiled data from 81 national newspapers across all four provinces, the Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB). It revealed that 6,543 incidents were reported in Pakistan in 2025, compared to 5,253 cases in 2024, indicating an almost 25% rise within a year, The Express Tribune reported.

From January to November 2025, the reported incidents included 1,414 murders, 1,144 abductions, 1,060 physical assaults, 649 suicides, and 585 rapes. The data showed that in 32% of rape cases, the perpetrators were known to the survivors, while 17% involved strangers. Husbands were identified as perpetrators in 12% of the cases.

In 12% of cases, husbands were implicated, while the identities of the perpetrators remained unknown in 21% of cases. The report indicated that the majority of gender-based violence incidents occurred in victims' homes, accounting for 60% of the documented cases, while 13% occurred at the perpetrator's residence.